LIFE OF PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 9 February 1918, Page 4

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT.

- ~ jS*" J'lk' Labour Fnions of Now Zealand are protesting against the proposal to l'urthrr extend the life of Parlianu'jit, which they' claim would ho unconstitutional. They forget that tho mother of all Parliaments in the Empire has set iho example. Apart, however, from lho constitutional aspect of the cjiiesiiom, what advantage does Labour hope to derive from the holding of an election at the present juncture:- The fight would undoubtedly be made one of conscription versiw no-conscription, and the supporters of the former would bo in an overwhelm kig majority. Thus, the National Government would be given an extended tenure for a period of three years. The Labour Party will make a fatal mistake if it forces an election during tho ensuing year. It should remember that the National Government will not require much persuasion to appeal to the country, knowing, as it does, that such am appeal during the progress of tho war would be almost certain to give it arenewal of life for three years. Those >vho sincerely desire to see an end put to a weak-kneed and vascillating Administration prefer that an election shall take place as soon as possible after the cessation of hostilities, and not at a period when patriotic and sentimental considerations will cloak the domestic issues.